US DOJ Report: Air Peace says Allen Onyema innocent, charges mere allegations

Air Peace has dismissed charges by the U.S. Department of Justice against Allen Onyema, the airline’s chairman/CEO and Ejiro Eghagha, the airline’s chief of finance and admin officer, saying the duo are innocent of any charges brought against them.

Air Peace’s response follows reports that Allen Onyema was charged in a superseding indictment with obstruction of justice for submitting false documents to the government in an effort to end an investigation on him bothering fraud and money laundering.

Eghagha was also charged for participating in the obstruction scheme, as well as in the earlier bank fraud counts.

The airline alleged in a statement sign by its management on Sunday, that the charges levelled against its post-holders are part of an extended legal process stemming from earlier accusations of financial misdeeds that date back several years.

“While the charges have been expanded, it is essential to emphasise that both Onyema and Eghagha remain innocent and these are mere allegations, and the case is still in court,” the airline’s management said in the statement.

“Our legal team is fully engaged with the matter and is working tirelessly to ensure that justice prevails. We remain confident that, through due process, the truth will be revealed, and our CEO and co-defendant will be exonerated.

“It is important to note that Onyema and his legal team have consistently cooperated with authorities throughout this process, and Air Peace continues to operate without disruption, upholding our commitment to delivering top-notch services to our valued customers.”

The airline reassured the public that these legal proceedings will not impact the safety, reliability, or day-to-day operations of Air Peace.

“The dedication and focus of our staff remain steadfast as we continue to provide you with the best aviation experience in Nigeria and beyond,” the airline added.

“We thank our customers and flying public for your continued support and understanding during this time, and we remain committed to serving you with excellence and integrity.”

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.